Melksham set to celebrate Queen’s Jubilee in style!

IT’S time to dust off your red, white and blue flags and bunting as next week, communities across the town and surrounding villages will be celebrating a historic moment in British history, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee! 

Across the four-day bank holiday weekend, from Thursday 2nd June to Sunday 5th June, a whole host of events have been planned to celebrate the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II – the first British monarch to reach this milestone. 

Events include a Market Place fair, a soap box derby in Semington, a village fair to remember for Shaw and Whitley, and a Jubilee picnic in King George V playing field – there is something for everyone! 

Melksham’s new mayor, cllr Simon Crundell said, “I am really excited about the forthcoming celebrations to commemorate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. The town council and community groups have planned a weekend of celebrations, with activities for all the family. Melksham is at its best when we all come together as a community, so please do take a look at what’s on offer. This is the first Platinum Jubilee in the UK’s history. Come along, get involved, and make some memories!” 

Thursday 2nd June

Join top local DJ Mister M at the Assembly Hall for Boogie Wonderland, a night of classic disco, soul and funk from the 70s and 80s. Organisers say, “Fancy dress is highly recommended! Come down early, bring your boogie shoes and have some fun with us to get in the mood for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend.” Tickets costs £5 in advance and £7 on the door (if available). For more information visit: www.melkshamassembly.co.uk; or call 01225 709887. 

St Michael’s Church invite you to their Jubilee Organ Concert, which they promise will be an evening to remember. Local organists will treat you to a mixture of classical and popular music, on the recently redesigned and rebuilt organ at the church. The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £10 (£8 for students and under 18s), available from the Tourist Information Centre or online at: www.melksham.church/jubilee  

Over in Semington, join the Semingtones in Concert at St George’s Church from 6.30pm. The ladies’ choir will be kickstarting the village’s long weekend of celebrations with their performance, which will be followed by free light refreshments in the village hall. 

Semington will also be hosting a Lighting The Village Beacon at 9.45pm. Organisers say, “We will be lighting our own beacon for the Jubilee as well as tipping the Royal Standard. The Semingtones will be singing at this ceremony also. Come along to The Somerset Arms pub to be part of the occasion.”

Friday 3rd June

Semington will host a Tractor Drive By at 12pm in the High Street.

Saturday 4th June

The Market Place in Melksham town centre will be closed to traffic for the Market Place Fair between 1pm and 5pm. Join the festive afternoon with fairground rides, stalls and music. You will also be able to sign up for your own Jubilee tree, drop into the Royal photo exhibition at the Town Hall and enjoy food and drink from local businesses. For more information or to book a stall email: townhall@melksham-tc.gov.uk. 

The Whitley and Shaw Summer Fete promises to be an event to remember, with a packed line-up including live music, a barbeque and bar, games, a raffle, dog show, and a display of classic cars. The fete, organised by CAWS (Community Action Shaw & Whitley), will be opened by the Melksham Carnival Queen at 1pm, and runs until 5pm. It will be held at Shaw Village Hall.

Football will be coming home for Semington at their Jubilee Football Tournament from 12pm at Semington Football Club. Come and see teams from the village, the Somerset Arms pub, Steeple Ashton and Staverton compete to win the cup. Refreshments will be available at the club, followed by an awards ceremony in the evening at the Somerset Arms, which will also include karaoke and a DJ. 

The Pig and Whistle pub in Forest Road, Melksham, will be hosting its own Queen’s Jubilee Garden Party from 2pm to 6pm. The event will have a charity bake sale, face painting, tombola, children’s fun and games on the front lawn and traditional fete games. There will also be an all-day barbeque, and music in the garden from 5pm to 9pm.  

The Assembly Hall will be hosting a Royal Silent Disco from 8pm. Organised by Panda Events, the disco promises to bring foot-stomping, booty-shaking, sing-along  anthems for the Jubilee. Organisers say, “Let’s dress up and celebrate all together! Grab those headsets, flick that switch, cut some shapes and be prepared to sing your heads off. With three channels of music to choose from, it’s time to overindulge in the latest charts, pop classics, anthems of the decade, and house and techno mashups.” Advance tickets £8 (£6 for NHS workers) with £5 refundable deposit for the headsets. £10 on the door plus £5 deposit. For more information, visit: www.melkshamassembly.co.uk

Sunday 5th June

Semington village kicks the day off with a Children’s Parade at 11am, starting at St George’s School and finishing on the High Street. Followed by a Jubilee Street Party from 12pm to 4pm in the High Street. Organisers say, “Bring your party to the party! The High Street will be closed to traffic from 12pm to 4pm, so why not bring your picnic to the party? There will be chairs and tables available along the High Street or alternatively you can bring your table and chairs and settle down and join in the fun. Teas and coffees will be available at the village hall ,with proceeds going to Semington WI. The Somerset Arms will have the usual refreshments available throughout the day. Fancy dress is optional but red, white and blue will do!”

During the street party, there will also be a Semington Soapbox Distance Trial in the High Street. Organisers say, “Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in….soapboxes! The Semington Soapbox Distance Trial is back for the Platinum Jubilee. Watch the daredevils in their themed karts and outfits to see who can get their kart the furthest up and down the High Street. Park your picnic on the High Street and cheer them on!” 

There will a Big Jubilee Picnic in King George V Playing Field in Melksham, from 12 to 4pm. The picnic will also mark National Thank You Day, which is encouraging everyone to host a Big Jubilee Lunch and raise a glass to the Queen for 70 years’ outstanding service, and say a great big thank you to each other as well. Melksham Town Council says, “This will be a lovely afternoon event for all the family, with children’s entertainment and creative opportunities to express thanks to people you are grateful to, as part of the national Big Jubilee Lunch. Bring a picnic, a blanket and your outdoor games for an afternoon of connection and community.” For more information email: townhall@melksham-tc.gov.uk 

There will be Music and Ballroom Dancing at Melksham Assembly Hall, from 2pm, organised by Melksham Community Meals. From 2pm there will be Jubilee sing-along/tea dance with Sharon Wilshire on keyboards; at 5pm the Bell’s Angels will get the crowd going with some Morris dancing; and then from 6pm the popular PSG Choir will be performing pop, soul and gospel songs. Due to the support of Melksham Town Council and New Resource Group’s generous donation there will be no charge for the afternoon/evening events. Donations will be taken throughout the day for Ukraine Appeal. The group will also be hosting their monthly Sunday lunch between 12pm to 2pm. Booking is advisable with chair of Melksham Community Meals, Sue Mortimer, on 07719 935883.

All bank holiday weekend

All bank holiday weekend, residents are encouraged to drop into Melksham Town Hall to visit the Royal Photo Exhibition. Organised with the support of Melksham Remembers and the Melksham and District Historical Association, the exhibition will feature photos of members of the royal family visiting Melksham over the years, the town celebrating royal events, as well as Melksham people with royalty around the world. To share your photos, please get in touch with Paul Carter on: pjcarter731@gmail.com. 

Throughout the week prior to the celebrations and across the bank holiday weekend, the town will host Melksham Shop Bingo. Organisers say, “You can collect a card full of signatures from participating shops to be entered into a prize draw.” 

Businesses throughout Melksham will be taking part in the Shop Window Competition, which of course has a Jubilee theme. 

Semington Jubilee Windows – Over the Jubilee weekend get out and about in the village of Semington and see if you can spot all of the Jubilee windows. A map of the Jubilee window trail will be published on the Semington Community Facebook page and there will be paper copies available at strategic points in the village. 

Flower Festival at St George’s Church, Semington – Organisers say, “Our beautiful church will be hosting a flower festival over the Jubilee weekend make sure you go and enjoy the beautiful displays by our dedicated volunteers.”